About us

Southport Lifeboat is run by the Southport Offshore Rescue Trust.  Being independent, means that the Trust is responsible for all of its’ own financing and fundraising, it receives no regular Grant aid toward the running costs of the Lifeboat service.  The crew commit their time and effort freely, they receive no payment at all. 

Being a crewmember does not mean “just callouts and training sessions”, fundraising is also a major part of their duties, the crew regularly organise social events and volunteer to take an active involvement in PR exercises, attending Carnivals, and Church Fetes etc. in order to raise the £40,000 needed to keep the boat on station all year round, this itself is no mean task.

Other community activities include, giving tours of the Lifeboat House for Schools, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Guides, this is looked upon as ‘sowing seeds for the future’, who knows where the next donations will come from, or even the next generation of crew members.

‘Southport Lifeboat is totally independent, no funding is received from the RNLI’

The crews’ training ensures that the boat and equipment are always available for emergency situations.
The crew are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the Boathouse, Boat, Launch Vehicle, and two Quad ATV’s used for beach patrols and rescues.

Due to the corrosive nature of saltwater, maintenance can be very time consuming.  Typically after each launch, the crew can spend between 1 and 2 hours washing down the boat and vehicles.

The latest Lifeboat, Heather White is fitted with Radar, GPS, and a Chart plotter.
Carrying a crew of 4, the twin 135 hp outboards give a maximum speed of 50+ mph and a range of 150+ miles.

The Lifeboat is stationed in the old Lifeboat-house which was built over 130 years ago, it has no running water
or toilet.  These facilities are in desperate need of modernisation, during the summer months, the boathouse
is O.K. however, during the winter months it can be a bleak place for the crew to undertake their duties.
We are at present investigating the possibility of relocating to a new lifeboat-house nearer to the sea, this would reduce our reaction times for rescues, and this will also require substantial funds to be raised.

For further information about the Lifeboat, Volunteering, or Donations get in touch

01704501471

info@southport-lifeboat.co.uk